Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find support and solutions for any problems regarding your Windows 7 PC be it Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. We also provide an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.

Windows 7: Is Windows Defender as good as most free Anti Virus software?

Hello, i've got Windows Defender on my W7 laptop here. I'm having some weird goings on recently with redirects and now some strange chinese text appearing when i click on links. The redirects have stopped but i still got the text appearing yesterday, but today it has stopped since i disabled my Comodo CIS av and firewall (i'm now using Toolwiz Timefreeze).

First question is Windows Defender on W7 the same as Microsoft Security Essentials?

Is w7 Windows Defender and firewall as good as these commercial Anti virus software?

Is there a malware removal tool built into W7 and is it common to need online support?

Firewall has internet protection but as my experience it sometimes ignores the weird viruses that get installed on the PC and you can't rely oh windows defender especially when some chinese text appearing. I better recommend you to instal a proper antivirus from the internet.
The best might be 360 total security or McAfee
thanx

Hello:
Windows Defender under Windows 7 is NOT an anti-virus.
It is only a (weak) anti-malware application.
(Under Win 8/8.1/10, Windows "Defender" is a rebranded version of Microsoft Security Essentials, a true anti-virus.)

So, under Win 7, Windows Defender does NOT provide sufficient protection.
You need a robust, updated, real-time anti-virus.
Ideally one would add additional layers of real-time protection, e.g. with an anti-malware application, an anti-exploit application, and perhaps other elements (hosts file, etc.)
For more detailed information, see here:Answers to common security questions - Best Practices

My personal opinion is that it is worth the nominal cost of a paid internet security program (which works out to a fraction of a penny per day) to get robust protection, good support and NO toolbars or popup marketing ads. And it's much cheaper than the lost time, effort and productivity of a serious security breach, data loss, identity theft or other catastrophe.

Having said that, no one security program can provide 100% protection against all threats.
This is especially true since the computer user is the first- and last-line of computer defense.

My personal opinion is that it is worth the nominal cost of a paid internet security program (which works out to a fraction of a penny per day) to get robust protection, good support and NO toolbars or popup marketing ads. And it's much cheaper than the lost time, effort and productivity of a serious security breach, data loss, identity theft or other catastrophe.

To be honest Billy I have to agree 100% with this I didn't mention it before because I thought you were simply after a free one. I have run Kaspersky ISS for five years now on my six machines and the deals I get at least - for example 3 PC's x 2 year licence (each) works out at approx. $0.15 a day per machine if my maths is right, and I feel totally safe with it.

I do like most other member's here use Malwarebytes and me personally SuperAntiSpyware free scanners on an ad hoc basis but usually only SAS picks up much stuff and that is usually Possibly Unwanted Programs (PUP's)

But in any case the choice is yours and your usage of your computer is by far the most important factor in keeping yourself malware free

Is Windows Defender as good as most free Anti Virus software?

Is Avast Free Anti Virus Any Good?A friend who is very experienced with computers can't understand why I would pay for an antivirus programme for my desktop pc. I use paid Avira Pro at the moment, which is up for renewal in 2 days. He uses free Avast anti virus, and recommends that I stop wasting my money and use the same as him. I...

System Security

Windows Defender v Avast Free Anti virusI run both Windows Defender and Avast Free Anti Virus but I am wondering if I really need both of them running at the same time. Can I safely remove Windows Defender and rely on Avast Free to do the same job?

System Security

What is best free anti-virus software?A young friend has asked me if there is a reliable anti-virus software that is available free of charge. I searched the subject on Google, but the responses were not clear (to me). I will appreciate anyone here sharing their experience and ideas about this. Thanks.

System Security

Best free anti virus softwareHi...whats the best free anti virus software, as just re-installed windows 7 and got nothing on as had avast last time and messed my pc up a bit, so wanting to try another apart from avg

System Security

Free Anti-Virus software?My AVG was having problem's and I can't get it to work. I uninstalled.
Is there one that is free and works good for Windows 7?
Or is there something I can do too fix my old one? (if I were to re-download)